Method and system of utilizing a work tool on a suspended work platform

Abstract

A method and system for performing work from a suspension work platform incorporating a work tool attached to an articulating arm system.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for performing work at elevation, comprising:
 a) elevating a suspension work platform ( 1300 ) on at least one suspension work platform cable to an initial working height of at least six feet, wherein at least one suspension work platform hoist system lift ( 1430 ) is attached to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) and cooperates and engages the suspension work platform cable to adjust the elevation of the suspension work platform ( 1300 ); 
 b) supporting a work tool ( 200 ), having a work tool weight, from an articulating arm system ( 500 ) attached to the work tool ( 200 ) and the suspension work platform ( 1300 ), wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) moves the work tool ( 200 ) in at least two axis; 
 c) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 d) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Z-axis position; 
 e) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the initial Z-axis position and adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position from a first X-axis position to a second X-axis position while performing the work; 
 f) moving the work tool ( 200 ) to a second Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 g) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a second Z-axis position; and 
 h) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the second Z-axis position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) moves the work tool ( 200 ) in at least three axis. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , further including the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial X-axis position prior to performing work at the initial Z-axis position. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further including the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired second X-axis position prior to performing work at the second Z-axis position. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of retracting the work tool ( 200 ) from the initial Z-axis position prior to moving the work tool ( 200 ) to the second Y-axis position. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) includes a radial arm ( 510 ) and a tilting arm ( 520 ), wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the desired initial Y-axis position includes adjusting the tilting arm ( 520 ) with respect to the radial arm ( 510 ). 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adjusting the tilting arm ( 520 ) with respect to the radial arm ( 510 ) further includes locking a tilting arm vertical position joint ( 524 ) that joins the radial arm ( 510 ) and the tilting arm ( 520 ). 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the initial Z-axis position includes adjusting the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ). 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the step of adjusting the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) further includes and locking a radial arm radial adjustment system joint ( 516 ). 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) includes a radial arm ( 510 ) and a tilting arm ( 520 ), wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the desired initial Y-axis position includes adjusting the elevation of the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ). 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of adjusting the elevation of the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) further includes locking a radial arm height adjustment system joint ( 514 ). 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the initial Z-axis position includes adjusting the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ). 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step adjusting the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) further includes locking a radial arm radial adjustment system joint ( 516 ). 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of activating a unidirectional drive system ( 800 ), attaching the articulating arm system ( 500 ) to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ), with a drive system control to move the articulating arm system ( 500 ) and the work tool ( 200 ) along a longitudinal X-direction. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further including a dust collection enclosure adjacent at least a portion of the work tool ( 200 ). 
     
     
       16. A method for performing work at elevation, comprising:
 a) elevating a suspension work platform ( 1300 ) on at least one suspension work platform cable to an initial working height of at least six feet, wherein at least one suspension work platform hoist system lift ( 1430 ) is attached to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) and cooperates and engages the suspension work platform cable to adjust the elevation of the suspension work platform ( 1300 ); 
 b) supporting a work tool ( 200 ), having a work tool weight, from an articulating arm system ( 500 ) attached to the work tool ( 200 ) and the suspension work platform ( 1300 ), wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) moves the work tool ( 200 ) in at least three axis; 
 c) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 d) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial X-axis position; 
 e) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Z-axis position; 
 f) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the initial Z-axis position and adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position from a first X-axis position to a second X-axis position while performing the work; 
 g) retracting the work tool ( 200 ) from the initial Z-axis position; 
 h) moving the work tool ( 200 ) to a second Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 i) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired second X-axis position; 
 j) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a second Z-axis position; and 
 k) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the second Z-axis position. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) includes a radial arm ( 510 ) and a tilting arm ( 520 ), wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the desired initial Y-axis position includes adjusting the tilting arm ( 520 ) with respect to the radial arm ( 510 ). 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) includes a radial arm ( 510 ) and a tilting arm ( 520 ), wherein the step of adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to the desired initial Y-axis position includes adjusting the elevation of the radial arm ( 510 ) with respect to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ). 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16 , further including a dust collection enclosure adjacent at least a portion of the work tool ( 200 ). 
     
     
       20. A method for performing work at elevation, comprising:
 a) elevating a suspension work platform ( 1300 ) on at least one suspension work platform cable to an initial working height of at least six feet, wherein at least one suspension work platform hoist system lift ( 1430 ) is attached to the suspension work platform ( 1300 ) and cooperates and engages the suspension work platform cable to adjust the elevation of the suspension work platform ( 1300 ); 
 b) supporting a work tool ( 200 ), having a work tool weight, from an articulating arm system ( 500 ) attached to the work tool ( 200 ) and the suspension work platform ( 1300 ), wherein the articulating arm system ( 500 ) moves the work tool ( 200 ) in at least three axis; 
 c) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 d) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a desired initial Z-axis position; 
 e) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the initial Z-axis position and adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position from a first X-axis position to a second X-axis position and removing debris with a dust collection enclosure adjacent at least a portion of the work tool ( 200 ), while performing the work; 
 f) moving the work tool ( 200 ) to a second Y-axis position by the application of an external elevation adjustment force that is less than twenty percent of the work tool weight; 
 g) adjusting the work tool ( 200 ) position to a second Z-axis position; and 
 h) performing work with the work tool ( 200 ) at the second Z-axis position.